ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER CANDIDATE PERCEPTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PRACTICE COURSE

Abstract

This study aims to identify the perceptions of elementary school teacher candidates about the Community Service Practice course and establish whether these perceptions vary according to certain variables. The study group consisted of 315 third-year teacher candidates studying at Hacettepe University, Education Faculty, Department of Elementary Education's Division of Preschool Education, Elementary Education, Mathematics Education and Science Education. Data were collected by using a Personal Information Form and the Teacher Candidates' Perceptions of the Community Service Practice Course Scale. The data gathered were analyzed by using t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results suggested that teacher candidates' perceptions of the Community Service Practice course were positive. A significant difference was found between the perceptions of candidates from different departments in the institution and advising dimensions. On the other hand, teacher candidates' perceptions of this course did not vary significantly with respect to age, gender, being a member of an NGO or volunteering for one.